To access SANE services, call 1-833-577-SANE (7263)

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program

The Tri County Women’s Centre launches the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program today, September 4, 2018. SANE trained registered nurses will provide 24/7 medical and forensic response to sexual assault at Yarmouth Regional Hospital. The service is available to all survivors and victims of recent (within the last 120 hours) sexual assault, aged 13 years and older. Someone wishing to access the SANE nurses can call 1-833-577-SANE (7263) or go to the Yarmouth Regional Hospital Emergency Department.

The SANE Program strives to provide sensitive, professional care in a manner that restores control to those who are survivors and victims of sexual assault. Through a community team approach, the program aims to respond to many aspects of the individual’s needs, including physical, psychological, social, and legal.“The SANE Program is a part of efforts to increase access to medical treatment, forensic evidence collection and community support referrals, said Carmen Phinney, SANE Program Coordinator. “Our SANE team of nurses and community partners has worked diligently to prepare for the launch of the program.” Lisanne Turner, Executive Director of the Tri County Women’s Centre, is looking forward to building the program: “this launch is the result of community partnerships and support from NSHA. We will continue to work with the community to ensure survivors and victims have access to the supports they need.”

The Western Nova Scotia SANE Program is funded by the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA).

What is SANE?

The Tri-County Women’s Centre Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program provides physical and medical care while respecting the choices made by victims/survivors.

All SANEs are registered nurses who have advanced training in forensic examinations of sexual assault survivors/victims. The Western NS SANE program provides physical examinations and forensic evidence collection in the Yarmouth Regional Hospital emergency department.

SANEs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

SANEs serve people of all genders (including trans-identified and non-binary people), aged 13 years and older, who have been sexually assaulted within the last five days (120 hours).

Physical exams and/or forensic evidence collection through the SANE program is only conducted with the victim/survivor’s consent, and evidence is not released to the police without consent.Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. SANEs promote the right of victims/survivors to be treated with dignity and respect at all times.

How to Access the SANE Program

Go to the Yarmouth Regional Hospital emergency department. The staff will call a SANE.

Call the SANE Coordinator at the Tri-County Women’s Centre business line (902-742-0085) during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., M-F).

Visit a service provider you trust in the community and they can help you connect with SANE.

SANEs notified of a call by the answering service will contact clients to offer non-judgmental, confidential support as well as information about their options after a sexual assault. If clients choose medical care and/or the collection of forensic evidence, SANEs can then meet them at the hospital to provide that service.

The SANE Program Provides:

Response within an hour and a half at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital emergency departments.

Testimony in a court of law

Supportive follow-up for victims

Storage of forensic evidence for six months

Telephone response line for immediate sexual assault information and support

The SANE Program does not Provide:

Transportation

Medical services outside the hospital emergency department

Medical treatment to anyone other than victims/survivors

Why Access the SANE ProgramIt is important that a victim/survivor of recent sexual assault/abuse consider seeking medical attention for several reasons:

To take care of physical issues related to the assault/abuse

To test for infections and pregnancy

To begin treatment if required

To collect evidence if requested by the victim

To reduce undue worry later on

What Happens at the Hospital?After informing medical personnel about the sexual assault at the emergency room, or contacting the SANE Response Line, the victim/survivor may have immediate medical attention provided by the emergency room staff if needed. They can then meet the SANE nurse at the hospital for further physical examination and/or forensic evidence collection.Medical and/or forensic exams will only be conducted by SANEs with the victim/survivor’s consent. The victim/survivor can stop the process at any time.Medical ExaminationThe medical examination, conducted by the SANE, may include:

Taking a history

Documenting details of the assault/abuse to help identify potential infections, injuries or treatment required

Forensic ExaminationA forensic examination can be conducted within 5 days (120 hours) of an assault.It is preferable, but not mandatory, for the victim/survivor not to shower, bathe, douche, use the washroom, change clothes, eat/drink, or clean teeth, etc. until the exam is completed. Any of these things could remove or alter evidence. If you have done these things, do not worry - you can still access SANE if you choose to.A forensic examination includes the steps listed for a medical exam and may also include:

Collecting clothing for evidence

A head to toe visual exam looking for bruises, cuts, scratches, bloodstains, etc.

Taking photographs of injuries

This process usually takes about two hours to complete. Only the SANEs (and other emergency department staff if needed) are present during this exam. The victim/survivor may wish to have a friend or family member present as well for support. The police are not present during the exam.What Happens to the Forensic Samples Collected?It is the victims/survivors who make decisions about whether to report the sexual assault to the police or not. They have three options:

If victims/survivors decide to report the assault to the police immediately, the SANEs will notify the police and hand over forensic evidence to them at that time.

If victims/survivors decide not to file a report with police immediately, they may still want to have a forensic examination done. If they choose to do so, they can have forensic evidence collected and stored by the SANE program for up to six months.

If victims/survivors decide to report the sexual assault within the six month period, the SANE Coordinator will contact the police and provide them with the forensic evidence. The police will then proceed with the investigation.

SANE Program Manager - Annapolis and Kings Counties

The Tri County Women’s Centre (TCWC) is a community-based, feminist agency that provides support counseling, advocacy services, and programs to women and adolescent girls. The Centre oversees and administers the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program expansion across Western Nova Scotia.

TCWC is seeking to hire a SANE Program Manager for Western Nova Scotia. This is a part-time position, 17.5 hours per week, $35/hr, located in Kings and Annapolis Counties.

Skills and background:

Registered with the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia (CRNNS), or eligible for registration with CRNNS

SANE Community-based training or willingness to obtain

Education and understanding in sexual violence trauma informed care

Proven leadership abilities

Strong management, communication, and organizational skills

Able to complete basic computer tasks

Bilingual, French-English, considered an asset

The successful candidate will:

Coordinate nurses for SANE training and facilitate SANE Program service delivery

Assist with SANE training and on-going education for the SANE Nurses

Collaborate with hospital emergency staff for delivery of SANE services

Provide orientation for the SANE Program protocol to all relevant hospital staff and service providers/stakeholders

Work jointly with all relevant stakeholders to develop the three Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs) across Western NS

The successful candidate will require a criminal record check (with vulnerable sector search), child abuse registry check, current CPR certification, a driver’s license, and access to a reliable vehicle.

The Tri County Women’s Centre is committed to diversity and applicants are encouraged to self-identify.

Estimated start date: as soon as possible. Only those chosen for an interview will be contacted. Application process will remain open until successful candidate is found.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (Annapolis and Kings Counties)

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) - Multiple on-call positions available Hiring a team of nurses for the Annapolis Valley

The Tri County Women’s Centre (TCWC) is a community-based, feminist agency that provides support counseling, advocacy services, and programs to women and adolescent girls. The Centre oversees and administers the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program expansion across Western Nova Scotia.

The SANE Program is a community-based intervention service that is being expanded across Western Nova Scotia. This is an advanced practice position for Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners.

The SANE nurse is accountable to the SANE Program Manager and is responsible to provide competent care to adult/adolescent victims of sexual assault, 15 years of age and up, all genders. The SANE nurse works as an independent contractor of Tri-County Women’s Centre (TCWC), providing care that is consistent with the mission, vision, and philosophy/principles of TCWC.

The SANE nurse’s role may include, but is not limited to: medical/forensic examinations, trauma-informed treatment, evidence collection, documentation, education, collection of statistical data/information, and provision of testimony in court, as required.

On-call SANEs must be available for four 24 hour periods per month (or eight 12 hour periods per month) and attend regularly scheduled monthly meetings and training sessions, as necessary. On-call SANEs must have access to reliable transportation and be able to respond to a call within 1.5 hours to the designated emergency department.

Two SANE nurses will attend each call and work collaboratively according to best-practice standards.

Qualifications: ➢ Registered Nurse with a minimum of three years’ experience.➢ Current registration, in good standing, with the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia.➢ Demonstrated leadership, with sound decision-making and problem solving skills.➢ Demonstrated client-centered and culturally competent nursing practice.➢ Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a collaborative team.➢ Demonstrated excellence in oral/written communication, education, and interpersonal relations.➢ Experience/Understanding of sexual assault issues, and trauma responses, an asset.➢ Experience in emergency, forensic nursing, crisis response, or women’s health, an asset. ➢ Knowledge and experience working in a community-based organization, an asset.➢ Knowledge of the criminal justice system, an asset.➢ Current CPR certification required. ➢ Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check required upon hiring.➢ Successful candidates must be available to complete classroom SANE training.

​ Dates to follow. Clinical supports will be provided for successful candidates. Remuneration: Nurses are paid an on-call rate of $5/hr for each on-call shift and a $35 hourly rate when providing SANE services. Full details prior to hiring.Please send cover letter and resume via email: SANE@tricountywomenscentre.org

The group has signed a three-year contract with Nova Scotia Health Authority to provide expanded service in these areas, following a request for proposals issued in mid-April.

Under the sexual assault nurse examiner program, the first of two specially trained nurses will respond within 1.5 hours, around the clock. This happens most often at the request of emergency departments but sometimes at community clinics. The nurses can perform a physical examination, ensure forensic evidence is protected in case the victim decides to make a criminal complaint, and provide crisis intervention and emotional support.

Bernadette MacDonald, executive director of the Tri-County Women's Centre, said a program co-ordinator will also reach out to those who have been sexually assaulted days and weeks afterward, to support them if they choose to report the assault to police, and offer counselling or other community supports as needed.

"We all know about the low numbers of sexual assaults that are reported. This is a very good model to help victims of sexual assault come forward. It's responsive to their needs," said Ms. MacDonald.

Over the coming months, the group will hire nurses to respond on call across the region. They will train the nurses, develop agreements with service locations and community support groups, and set up protocols and training with emergency department staff. Expanded service is expected to begin in January.

The province will invest $700,000 per year to expand service in this area, as well as Cape Breton.

"Expanding the sexual assault nurse examiner service in southwestern Nova Scotia, the South Shore and the Annapolis Valley means that more people will have access to expert care at a time when they are most vulnerable," said Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill, on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine.

Sexual assault nurse examiners are specially trained to provide crisis intervention, medical care and emotional support to those who have been sexually assaulted. This support is available to anyone who has been sexually assaulted, of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

"This expansion of service is a positive enhancement to the services we are able to offer to those who experience sexual assault," said Lindsay Peach, vice-president of Integrated Health Services Community Support and Management, Nova Scotia Health Authority. "We are pleased to be able to work with these community partners in establishing expanded access to the sexual assault nurse examiner service."

There are two groups offering provincially funded sexual assault nurse examiner service in the province -- the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, which provides service in Halifax and West Hants, and the Antigonish Women's Resource Centre and Sexual Assault Services Association, which covers New Glasgow to Port Hawkesbury.

The expansion of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program is part of Breaking the Silence: A Coordinated Response to Sexual Violence in Nova Scotia, the first provincewide sexual violence strategy launched in June 2015.